I dread the day my rottie challenges me.

by jackie
(liverpool)

Will she do this one day as i am really not looking forward to it?

I think i will run a mile.I am fine now as she is only a puppy, and I think she is lovely now but I have always been scared of Rotties Staffs and Pitbulls.

My husband bought her for me and I feel so awful for thinking like I am, but what will I do when she is fully grown? Will I be scared of her when she is big or will I not be bothered because she is mine and I trained her?




Hi Jackie
I'm sorry you're feeling so worried and upset over your puppy! Given the negative media that Rottweilers and Pitbulls receive it's not really that surprising, especially because you've not had any experience with these breeds.

However, I can assure you that the chances of your puppy showing aggression or challenging you are no higher than with most other breeds. Although the breeding of your puppy has significance, in terms of the temperament of the parents, a whole lot will depend on the nurturing that you give your pup.

Rottweilers puppies are destined to grow into large adults, so obviously you need to train your puppy well while she's young. I'd really recommend that you enrol her in a puppy/basic obedience class as soon as she's had two sets of vaccinations. That way you'll learn better how to control and communicate with her, and she'll learn some basic manners and get a chance to socialize with other puppies.

Until then, there are some really good books on puppy training ( check them out here ) and also take a look at our Puppy Training Page for lots of tips and advice.

As well as training, your puppy needs tons of love, attention and approval. She's only a baby, and Rotties are just dogs, not monsters, and she's totally dependent on you for everything.

To help her bond closely with you, and see you as the 'alpha' or leader in her new 'pack', it's important that you are the one to feed her, groom her, walk her, train her, love on her etc. You are the 'source of everything good'.

Of course you will still need to discipline her at times, but remember she's just a baby puppy. Contrary to a lot of things you'll hear, Rottweilers do not respond well to heavy-handed treatment. Never shout, smack or physically punish her. It will scare her, make her wary and distrustful and stubborn. Treat her like you would a small child. Be firm and patient in your corrections, be fair but loving and she'll respond to you.

As they are a guardian breed, Rottweilers will naturally protect their family and home as they mature. Never try to encourage her to be protective or aggressive in any way. It confuses her and will only be counter-productive. It's also very important to socialize her well, starting early and continuing through her life-time.

Socializing means getting her used to different people, places and things on a regular basis. This helps her to grow into a friendly, confident adult and prevents any fear-based aggression showing up later.

If you do all of these things, your little Rottweiler puppy will grow into a beautiful and loving adult that you'll be very proud of.

Please don't be afraid of her, or nervous, she will sense that and obviously won't understand it. That will make her unhappy and worried. So remember, she's just a puppy and Rottweilers, Staffys and Pitbulls are just dogs, not the terrible ferocious monsters that some people would like you to believe.

I've owned all three breeds and currently have several Rottweilers, all of them very loving dogs who like nothing better than to be petted, played with and loved on. Take good care of your puppy and give her lots of love and she'll return it a hundred times over. She'll be your protector and friend.

Best of luck. Let me know how you get on if you'd like, and feel free to ask any other questions, any time!